News

Pembroke Dock: Jury to set retire in Bladen child sex case

Published

10 years ago

October 27, 2015

swansea A JURY will retire tomorrow (Oct 28) to decide if a Pembroke Dock man carried out a 30 year long campaign of rape and sexual assault against children.

Stephen Bladen, a 55 year old painter and decorator, told the jury at Swansea Crown Court that he could not understand why five different women now complained that he had assaulted them when they were as young as five years of age.

Bladen, recently of Sycamore Street and once of School Gardens, Pembroke Dock, has denied almost 30 charges of indecent assault, including rapes, and of possessing indecent images of children.

Judge Keith Thomas today summed up the case against Bladen and his defence.

He told them that one of the many issues they should consider was whether the women had “put their heads together” to make false claims about Bladen. But if they believed one of the complainants had been telling the truth they could use that knowledge as giving support to the evidence given by a different complainant.

Judge Thomas reminded the jury of the evidence given by the women, one of whom told how Bladen raped her and got her not to struggle by threatening to kill her bunny rabbit.

She said she had few friends at that stage in her life and she regarded her rabbit as her best.

Another told how Bladen performed a sex act on her after promising to give her sweets, but then didn’t give her any.

“That sticks in your mind, as a child,” she said.

Bladen told the jury that none of the assaults had taken place and that one of the women had never been to the address where she claims to have been assaulted.

And he had “absolutely no knowledge” about 89 indecent images found on an Acer machine, 19 of which fell into the most serious category.

Bladen said he had bought the computer second hand at Carew market and had never seen the images.

Community

Community gathers to remember Corrina Baker

Published

5 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Lanterns and balloons released in emotional acts of remembrance

FAMILY, friends and members of the local community came together to remember Corrina Baker at a series of moving events held across west Wales this week.

Corrina’s funeral took place on Monday (Dec 15), a month after her death, with a public service held at St Mary’s Church. Mourners lined the route as her coffin was carried on its final journey in an elegant horse-drawn carriage, before a private cremation later took place at Parc Gwyn crematorium in Narberth.

Later that evening, shortly after 6:00pm, friends and relatives gathered at the Quayside in Cardigan for the first of two acts of remembrance to celebrate her life. Lanterns were lit and released into the night sky above the town as some of Corrina’s favourite songs were played.

On Tuesday afternoon (Dec 16), a second tribute was held near the location where Corrina was found. Twenty-one pink balloons — one for each year of her life — were released into a clear blue sky, each carrying personal messages in her memory.

Floral tributes continue to be laid at the Netpool, while a GoFundMe appeal set up in Corrina’s memory has raised more than £2,300. She has been described by those who knew her as “funny and bright”.

Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ms Baker’s death is ongoing. A 29-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on bail while inquiries continue.

(Photos: Stuart Ladd/Herald)

Community

Six untaxed vehicles seized in Milford Haven police operation

Published

6 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

SIX untaxed and abandoned vehicles were seized during a joint roads policing operation in Milford Haven on Tuesday morning.

Officers from the Milford Haven Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Team (NPPT) worked alongside the Pembrokeshire Roads Policing Team as part of targeted enforcement across the town.

In addition to the vehicle seizures, a number of traffic offence reports were issued to drivers during the operation.

Police said the action formed part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety and tackle vehicle-related offences in the Milford Haven area.

Community

Candlelit carol service brings community together in Milford Haven

Published

6 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

ST KATHARINE and St Peter’s Church in Milford Haven hosted its annual Candlelit Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, bringing together members of the community for a traditional celebration of Christmas.

The service featured readings from the Mayor of Milford Haven, representatives of the Soroptimists, Milford Haven Amateur Operatic Society, the Headteacher and Head Prefects of Milford Haven School, Milford Haven Town Band, and NCI Wooltack Point.

Music for the evening was provided by organist Seimon Morris, Milford Haven Town Band and the Milford Haven Cluster Band, whose performances added to the atmosphere of the candlelit service.

The Friends of St Katharine and St Peter’s Church thanked all those involved and wished the community a happy Christmas.